This OpEd in the Milwaukee Journal-Star Sentinel was too bizarre to pass up. Written by freelance writer Jenny Rae Armstrong: Think pot’s harmless? Think again
It starts out as one of the standard pieces about how many people think pot is harmless, but they’re ignoring all the people dying in Mexico because of pot (really because of prohibition). The problem with all these OpEds is that they then propose that people simply stop buying pot and solve the problem (which, of course, won’t work, while legalization will).
Armstrong takes it to new heights of absurdity:
So what to do? Create tougher drug laws to crack down on marijuana suppliers, dealers and the 40% of Americans who have in fact inhaled? Legalize marijuana in the hopes of turning drug cartels into respectable, tax-paying entities? Press for domestic production of pot, so our struggling farmers can rake in some green? After all, there’s big money to be made in marijuana. Enough money to warrant widespread kidnappings, torture and murder.
Or, we the people could employ the time-honored techniques we Wisconsinites have traditionally used to combat exploitative business practices. We could band together, make a lot of noise and bring the issues to light. We could protest the greed, corruption and violence being committed in the name of commerce. We could take personal responsibility, make sacrifices, vote with our pocketbooks and drive the drug cartels out of business.
We could be a good neighbor and just say no.
Make a lot of noise, protest, and vote with our pocketbooks? What does that mean?
Huh?
“In the Misty Moonlight…la la la…” is all that comes to mind for me! lol
And where does this misdirection come from: “..in the hopes of turning drug cartels into respectable, tax-paying entities?” Not from the reform side of the debate. And, we keep seeing this talking point of theirs come up. Is that what they really think we imagine? It’s simply a conjured image pontificated by the Prohibs themselves.
Prohibitionists say the darnedest things.
The prohibitionist arguments are looking feeble, now that everyone can see the emperor wears no clothes. Now that people no longer take prohibitionist arguments at face value, everyone can see just how downright illogical most prohibitionist arguments really are.
This actually didn’t surprise me a bit. I mean isn’t it the prohibitionist’s M.O. that when in doubt regurgitate old policy only insist it’ll work this time? I mean it worked so well when Nancy did it.
OWNERS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY FORCE THE CITY’S HAND
US CA: Editorial: The Gilroy Dispatch 12 Nov 2009
This dorky editorial about the garlic town of Gilroy’s new Apothecary, that’s just over the little hill from me. Typical of a lot of smaller towns in Cali believing they have special powers when it comes to Ganja and protecting the town’s image and the citizens. In the same manner as every other “ridding of undesirables” throughout our country’s History. The article is very lame and full of hype and flat out lies but what’s interesting is the comments. Yup this old hoss is dead and city counsels keep on kicking it. I’m genuinely proud of the people standing up for their communities. And just as much disgusted by this old viscous, mean, ugly, classist Ganjawar and the stupidity of the local yokal drug worriers. We’re coming in from the cold. Get out of the way.
His Ass is Grassley
Let’s Have a Rational Debate on Drug Policy, Sen. Grassley
US IA: OPED: Des Moines Register 14 Nov 2009
Marni Steadham Represents University Of Iowa Students For Sensible Drug Policy.
“The point is, for them to do what we tell them to do.”
Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley
“Every day, I meet with Iowa workers and small business owners who can’t pay the mortgage or their insurance premiums while Mr. Grassley has been paid a federal salary of over $4,000,000.00 and collected millions more in campaign contributions from insurance, pharmaceutical and Wall Street fat cats. He has been one of the insiders in Washington so long that he can’t hear the voices of the thousands of Iowans who have lost their jobs.â€
Democratic Senate candidate Tom Fiegen
Grassley’s Next Election Year: 2010
Grassley slams Justice Department’s medical marijuana decision
By Jason Hancock 10/21/09
The decision this week by the U.S. Justice Department not to prosecute people using, prescribing or distributing marijuana in states where it is legal is a step towards legitimizing drug use, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said.
Jodie Emery November 13, 2009
When the walls came tumbling down!
Everybody ran as they screamed at the sound…
The Growing Pot Economy
Once largely underground, activity linked to the cultivation and use of pot is now in full public view thanks to voter approval in 2008 of marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
Colorado Medical-Pot Backers Form Trade Group
A group of medical-marijuana advocates — striving for legitimacy for their still-nascent industry — announced the formation of a new trade group Wednesday.
Where is the demand for change,since it is well established that unless we do something different than we are now the people being killed in Mexico will continue to die and the dealers will continue to sell too young people.
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=H04
The above link is where you can go to check your legislators lobby donations. Your representatives and senators may talk about change but if they are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the pharmaceutical
or the banking industry and they want to continue receiving them,they will vote against change.
When we get through overturning the laws on marijuana prohibition,everyone should start working on these donations and only allow lobby donations to be given blind,to the party and not too individual people,to stop the industrial complex from buying our legislators.
As long as they receive more in lobby funds than they do
in wages the industries will own this country.
The industrial people are what created this mess we are in and they want it continued to protect their profits.
Right now the above site is so busy because of the health issue I’d imagine,that it is hard to get in.
And you can bet that with that and marijuana being pushed so hard for legalization that in the 2010 all records of lobby donations will be broken by both the banking industry and the pharmaceutical companies.
We’re all wondering where prohibitionists and their pundits come up with these asinine viewpoints and articles and how they manage to make themselves look so stupid.
It’s gotta be the booze. It kills brain-cells right? Or does their pseudo-science deny that now also?
Jenny has been listening to her WI rep, Sensenbrenner. Idiots voting for idiots, that’s conservativism in action.
The prohibs cry out .we are out of ammo and our supply of rocks are running out . we are dound to pebbles and dirt clods. But we are winning. and we will dominate the hearts and minds of he people as long as we protect the children. Crack down more punishment more prison time harsher laws. Its working oh so well.
LMFAO
The late night folks could do a lot of good if they’d stop with the “Cheech and Chong” jokes and start to focus on the absurdity of the Prohibs, like “Gil’s empty dictionary.”
Since the Prohibs lost their AMA “poster child,” who or what will take it’s place? Maybe they’ll grab Sen. Grassley for the spot. Naw, he talks too much. Be nice if he’d listen a little. As quiet as they’ve been, you just know they’re sitting in a closed room somewhere trying to figure out the next “explanation.” Bring it on!
“Make a lot of noise, protest, and vote with our pocketbooks? What does that mean?” That they should stop buying pot? Because you know at least half those readers smoke it. Probably those legislators, too.
Over at the NORML blog, they have an article about a guy in Jackson, MS looking at life in prison for growing 51 marijuana plants. Time to make a lot of noise and protest that insanity!
So, what to do about Opinion articles such as these? In this case, there is no way to enter comments. Is it helpful to “digg” such an article and point out the fallacious and tired arguments in favor of prohibition? Or just leave it alone and comment here amongst ourselves?
Sally O’Boyle – You just took the words right out of my mouth (so to speak).
NORML has the story of Ronald Christopher Sekul’s arrest in Misssissippi.
If on November 12th the American Medical Association (AMA) has finally seen the light and re-scheduled Mary Jane to being the beneficary of health.
“Schedule I Lie” (NORML).
Thanks MPP and all of us. WE ARE GREAT!
In my mind this alone is the Truth setting Mr. Sekul free.
That lady is either delusional or a liar, or both.
@ Craig… send a letter-to-the-editor!
If we’re to “vote with our pocketbooks” shouldn’t the message be “buy locally grown” or “grow your own”?
Excellent comments: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-teenage-mind/200911/the-marijuana-bill-and-youth/comments
{ We could take personal responsibility, make sacrifices, vote with our pocketbooks and drive the drug cartels out of business.}
What? Is she suggesting people will fall in line like good little puppies and not pee on the floor?
Drive the cartels out of buisness? Isnt that prohibitions job? Oh ya that one isnt working out so well…guess all we got left is suggestions like this nutball…or wait ,we could just legalize and take the profit out of cannabis…now theres and idea .
It amazes me how witless people can be.
Truely I dont know how some people make it through each day.
Just wanted to make a correction. This article appeared in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, not the Milwaukee Journal-Star. The MJS is a good paper, but sometimes they do publish rubbish like this from a reader that is less than informed.
..may I please stand self-corrected; as per above what I mean’t to say is;
..in my mind this __________(fact??) alone is the Truth setting Mr Sekul Free.
American Medical Association (AMA) May God Almighty Please Bless and Salute’ You..Forever, Amen.
DEA is over..muchaslike..the blood-shed..of diamonds, flesh and blood, etc.
NO MORE BLOOD-SHED..lay down your weapons, wherever you may be standing; cease and decist; lay down your arms.
Protection is one thing..crime is another. Amen.
But then the fuck-wods killed an innocent man (bi-polar) {moody} with a deadly force of tazer TWICE into the heart.
Cowardly dogs I tell you not.
DEA needs imprisonment! Mooey pronto! asap! ..thee sooner thee better!! caprice?
Murder of Cardall in Utah….more to follow. I swear to God.
I am forever indebted to you for this ifnomraotin.